Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Carbon \Car"bon\ (k[aum]r"b[o^]n), n. [F. carbone, fr. L. carbo
coal; cf. Skr. [,c]r[=a] to cook.] (Chem.)
An elementary substance, not metallic in its nature, which is
present in all organic compounds. Atomic weight 11.97. Symbol
C. it is combustible, and forms the base of lampblack and
charcoal, and enters largely into mineral coals. In its pure
crystallized state it constitutes the diamond, the hardest of
known substances, occuring in monometric crystals like the
octahedron, etc. Another modification is graphite, or
blacklead, and in this it is soft, and occurs in hexagonal
prisms or tables. When united with oxygen it forms carbon
dioxide, commonly called carbonic acid, or carbonic oxide,
according to the proportions of the oxygen; when united with
hydrogen, it forms various compounds called hydrocarbons.
Compare {Diamond}, and {Graphite}.
{Carbon compounds}, {Compounds of carbon} (Chem.), those
compounds consisting largely of carbon, commonly produced
by animals and plants, and hence called organic compounds,
though their synthesis may be effected in many cases in
the laboratory.
The formation of the compounds of carbon is not
dependent upon the life process. --I. Remsen
{Carbon dioxide}, {Carbon monoxide}. (Chem.) See under
{Carbonic}.
{Carbon light} (Elec.), an extremely brilliant electric light
produced by passing a galvanic current through two carbon
points kept constantly with their apexes neary in contact.
{Carbon point} (Elec.), a small cylinder or bit of gas carbon
moved forward by clockwork so that, as it is burned away
by the electric current, it shall constantly maintain its
proper relation to the opposing point.
{Carbon tissue}, paper coated with gelatine and pigment, used
in the autotype process of photography. --Abney.
{Gas carbon}, a compact variety of carbon obtained as an
incrustation on the interior of gas retorts, and used for
the manufacture of the carbon rods of pencils for the
voltaic, arc, and for the plates of voltaic batteries,
etc.